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The M6 has reopened in both directions following recovery work after a three vehicle road traffic collision.

Police were called at 3.21pm following a report of a HGV colliding with the central reservation causing the vehicle to overturn on to the southbound carriageway. The HGV collided with two other vehicles and shed its load. This occurred on the M6 at the Low Hurst Railway Bridge.

The driver of the HGV suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary.

Also involved in the collision was a Peugeot Boxer. Three occupants suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Cumberland Infirmary.

The third vehicle was a silver Nissan Almeria and the driver was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary with minor injuries.

Police would like to thank the public for their patience as agencies quickly managed to return one of the county’s major routes back to normality.

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Fire engines at the scene on the south bound carriageway Credit: ITV Border

The M6 near Carlisle was closed for a while this afternoon (Wednesday 10th October) after an articulated lorry caught fire. The back of the trailer burst into flames on the southbound carriageway near junction 44.

The driver detached the trailer from the cab Credit: ITV Border

The driver was uninjured and detached the cab from the trailer as a precaution.All three lanes were closed for about twenty minutes because the motorway was engulfed in smoke, but they've now reopened.

Cumbria Police are advising motorists to use alternative routes when travelling to the south of the county as they deal with a serious road traffic collision which has closed the M6.

The M6 is closed in both directions between Junction 39 and 38. Drivers are being diverted along the A6 to Kendal.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: "At 3.44pm this afternoon, a serious collision occurred just prior to Junction 39 involving two vehicles – a car and a van. Emergency services are in attendance and an air ambulance has been deployed.

"Police are urging motorists to be patient while emergency services attend the scene."